NRL Team of the Week: Round 15

Share on social media

1. Billy Slater (Storm): Played like a man looking to make up for lost time in his first game for the Storm in a month with two tries, two try assists, six tackle breaks and 152 running metres, as well as joining Andrew Ettingshausen at third on the all-time try scoring list with the 165th four-pointer of his career.

2. Drury Low (Bulldogs): Bagged a first half double to take his season tally to three tries in two games, as well as making 17 charges for 135 metres, six tackle busts and two line breaks.

3. Josh Dugan (Dragons): Where can't this guy play? Scored a try not many in the NRL could have pulled off, ran for 108 metres including a line break, broke eight tackles and made 16 of his own in defence as he continues to warm to his new centre gig.

4. Steve Matai (Sea Eagles): Had a field day against Cronulla's suspect right-edge defence, running in for the opening try as well as busting three line breaks, another three tackle breaks and 108 metres.

5. Dane Gagai (Knights): We've shifted him to the wing purely because he is more capable than Dugan and Matai on the flank, and with two tries, 133 metres, two line breaks and three tackle busts he proved a consistent handful for the Cowboys out wide.

6. Jarrod Mullen (Knights): Only contributed five runs but made each one count, reaping 64 metres and breaking the line early as well as registering five tackle breaks across his best 80 minutes in two months. Also produced a polished long-kicking game for 433 metres off the boot.

7. Ben Roberts (Storm): Roberts is going a long way toward ensuring he retains a spot in the Storm's 17 when Cooper Cronk eventually returns from injury, and did his chances no harm again with three try assists, 64 metres from eight runs in another composed performance steering the Melbourne ship.

8. Jesse Bromwich (Storm): Nothing but his usual powerhouse self up front, racking up 179 running metres from 17 runs, as well as two offloads and 22 tackles as he led the Storm pack well and truly over the top of their Parramatta counterparts.

9. Jake Granville (Broncos): Showed why he's in hot demand up north, with the Cowboys chasing his signature hard and the Broncos determined to keep him after bagging his first NRL try and providing incisive dummy-half running with 67 metres, a line break and six tackle busts to go alongside 31 tackles in the thick of the Warriors big men.

10. Ben Creagh (Dragons): The veteran has taken to his new role closer to the ruck like a duck to water, and was among the Dragons' best with 152 metres from 15 runs and 27 tackles.

11. Tohu Harris (Storm): Churned through 170 metres from 17 hit-ups, as well as two offloads and 18 tackles in a strong performance out on the Storm's right edge.

12. Mark Minichiello (Titans): Off contract at the end of the year, but with performances like his at the weekend, showed there's a few runs left yet in those 32-year-old legs. Scored a try and racked up 138 metres, 28 tackles and five tackle breaks.

13. Trent Merrin (Dragons): Scored a crucial four-pointer with a handy bit of footwork, made 151 metres and 19 tackles, and three tackle breaks in just 36 minutes before coming off with a worrying ankle injury that has him in doubt for Origin III.

14. David Shillington (Raiders): Wound the clock back against the biggest pack in the game, with a vintage 180 running metres, 18 tackles, five offloads and two tackle breaks.

15. Josh McGuire (Broncos): Was among the Broncos' best with 128 metres from 15 runs, 43 tackles and two offloads to put his hand up nice and high in a bid to claim Matt Scott's vacant Queensland jumper.

16. Simon Mannering (Warriors): The Warriors' skipper led from the front as the Broncos threatened to take the game away from them, pumping out 115 metres from 13 charges, three tackle breaks and two offloads as well as 33 tackles with just a single miss.

17. Kurt Gidley (Knights): Gave the Knights plenty of direction in the middle and had a hand in four of their seven tries, as well as grabbing a 'meat pie' of his own, a line break, 53 running metres. Didn't shirk the tough stuff either with 27 tackles in the middle of the ruck.